Effectiveness of Myofascial Release Technique with Stretching versus Myofascial Release Technique in Patients with Plantar Fasciitis

Background: Plantar Fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain which occurs in the second most to weight-bearing and prolong standing occupation, injury, accidental movement in daily life. Degenerative changes can cause acute & chronic inflammation and calcification at the origin of the plantar fascia and bony traction spur formation. It is often characterized by progressive pain with weight-bearing, especially the first few steps in the morning or after periods of inactivity typically present with inferior heel pain often persist for months or even years Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of MFR technique for patients with plantar fasciitis. Methods and Measures: 30 subjects were participated in the study and randomly divided into 2 groups (n=15). Group-A (control) was treated by MFR with US technique and Group B (experimental) was treated by MFR with Ultrasound (US) with stretching technique. Before and after receiving treatment, the 30 subjects of both groups were assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Foot Function Index (FFI) of ankle joint. Results: The results were analyzed statistically by using a paired t-test and independent t-test. In a comparison of both groups, the mean values of VAS (t=4.25) and FFI (t=4.53) are highly significant (p=0.00). It has been stated that MFR with the Stretching technique is more effective in PF management than only MFR technique. Conclusion: The study concluded that the MFR with Stretching is more precise and beneficial than only MFR technique in case of relieving pain & increasing functional ability in terms of VAS and FFI.